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2014 eBooks

A Grave Inheritance by Kari Edgren

December 29, 2014 by Darlene

graveHaving read Goddess Born, the first book in Kari Edgren’s trilogy and enjoying it immensely, I knew I had to read A Grave Inheritance and I was not disappointed!  As with any sequel a review is a bit difficult without maybe giving away a spoiler from the first book so be forewarned before you go on if you do intend to read the series.  In A Grave Inheritance we continue Selah’s journey – this time to meet her love Henry in London.  A Grave Inheritance takes us back in time combining elements of magic and mythology giving the reader a truly captivating tale.

In A Grave Inheritance Selah comes to London to be with Henry but unfortunately it seems he is not hers alone.  She has to contend with his betrothed and even another goddess born.  Yet Henry assures her he only has eyes for her and of course Selah will do anything for Henry and their lives together.  Yet when Henry begins to question Selah’s use of her gifts she has to wonder if they do indeed have a future together.  He must accept her for who she is – a descendant of a goddess.  It doesn’t help that Henry’s father is not approving of their betrothal either especially since Henry is already promised to the king’s daughter.  And then there is Julian who is another descendant of Brigid’s.  He is showing a great deal of interest in Selah but can he be trusted.  As time goes on things really begin to heat up and Selah starts learning more and more about her family and her roots.  What she learns shakes the foundations of who she always thought she was and as a malevolent force takes control of the very things that mean the most to Selah she knows that she will have to fight it with everything she can.

Oh I know this review is a bit vague but I don’t want to talk about the story much except to say it was really good.  A Grave Inheritance is faster paced than the first one and really brings alive the sights and sounds of England.  I loved that we got to see more of the goddess born traits that Selah possesses really shine in this book.  It was also really interesting to see her family dynamics change drastically and I hope we learn more about that in the next book. I can’t help but mention the book cover as well.  I think it is absolutely gorgeous.  Last but not least this installment ended on a whoosie of a cliffhanger which I didn’t expect at all but it certainly makes me even more anxious to delve into the next book!

Recommended for those who enjoy historical fiction with elements of the paranormal.  I really enjoyed it and can’t wait for the final book!

 

Other tour stops with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours
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Kari’s links: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads
Sign up for Kari’s newsletter
Buy: Amazon, Amazon UK, B&N

 

 

 

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Source: Digital review copy provided by the tour company and publisher for an honest review. No compensation was received.
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Filed Under: 2014 - 100+ Books, 2014 ARC's, 2014 Book Reviews, 2014 eBooks, Historical Fiction Virtual Blog Tours

The Back Building by Julie Dewey

December 24, 2014 by Darlene

backThe Back Building is Julie Dewey’s newest book and yet another reason that I enjoy her books so much. They always bring to light some important time in history and also to the people that lived during this long ago time. In The Back Building Julie tackles mental illness and the unfortunate way it is looked upon both in the past and even now in the present and takes us through one family’s battle with mental illness both in the past and in the present.

Iona Mueller comes from a wealthy family and to the outside eye certainly seems to have it all. Yet her mother keeps a fairly tight leash on her wanting her to only be a proper young lady and that included restricting what she could eat, not talking to her, or punishing her for not doing chores properly. Iona dealt with this by ceaselessly counting the steps she took, cleaning, and talking to her friend Hetty who helped her through her days. Needless to say this behavior was not considered proper or normal and Iona’s parents decide to send her to the Willard Asylum to hopefully reform and get better.

Iona is only fifteen when she enters the Willard Asylum and it’s such a foreign environment for her. She doesn’t feel like she belongs there. She isn’t crazy like these people. Sure she counts but who does that hurt? When her new roommate Cat arrives things change drastically for Iona and she tries running away. This only makes matters worse and she’s transferred to a much more secure ward. There she is subjected to hydrotherapy, tranquilizers, and even worse, beatings. Yet there were even worse places she could be and one of those was the back building. She had to make sure never to be put there. With the help of James, a young man she meets, they put together a plan to ensure that this never happens to Iona.

Fast forward to the future and we meet Jenna, a young girl, who is a descendant of Iona’s. Jenna too is suffering from mental illness and finds her life spiraling more and more out of control. Jenna’s family decides to trace their roots back to Iona to try and understand if Jenna’s battle with mental illness is in any way connected to Iona’s so many years ago.

The Back Building is a fascinating story. There is such a stigma attached to mental illness and I don’t understand why. So many suffer with it whether in a functioning or destructive form. There is nothing wrong with those who suffer and they need only our understanding and care.  This novel brings to light that while our methods of treating mental illness have improved the stigma attached to it hasn’t all that much.   Highly recommended for those who enjoy historical fiction and a really good story!

 

Other tour stops with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours
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Julie’s Links: Website, Facebook
Buy: Amazon, Amazon Canada

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Source: Digital review copy provided by the tour company.  No compensation was received.
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Filed Under: 2014 - 100+ Books, 2014 ARC's, 2014 Book Reviews, 2014 eBooks, Historical Fiction Virtual Blog Tours

Jane Austen’s First Love by Syrie James – Holiday Blog Tour & Giveaway (Int’l)

December 10, 2014 by Darlene

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Tour Dates: November 17 – December 14, 2014
Genre: Austenesque/Historical Fiction/Romance/Young Adult
Publisher: Berkley (Penguin Group USA)
Trade paperback ISBN: 978-0425271353
eBook ISBN: 978-0698139268

 

Jane Austen’s First Love by Syrie James is a delightfully charming re-imagining of a time in Jane Austen’s life and of what might have been.  Syrie James wrote this novel in such a way as to appear to be a memoir written by Jane Austen herself and it is truly a captivating tale.

The novel centers on one unforgettable summer in Jane Austen’s life when she was fifteen years old and how she remembers it.  Like any young girl Jane longs to fall in love but she’s quite sheltered at home and despairs of ever meeting anyone.  When the opportunity comes to travel to Kent to celebrate her brother’s engagement she is thrilled.

It is there that Jane meets Edward Taylor and finds herself swooning over him.  Not only is he handsome but he acknowledges her intelligence and they have wonderful conversations.  Jane is in love but … there is another girl who seems to be in love with Edward as well.  Yet Edward has shown Jane that he is interested in her.  Could it be?  Could Edward be as in love with Jane as she is in him?

Despite her love interest Jane finds herself needing more to do and can’t help but stick her nose in other people’s business and take up matchmaking.  She feels the need to rearrange the relationships that are forming and feels quite certain she knows who belongs with who.  To further her hopes in making these matches she puts on a play.  What transpires changes her thoughts on love – the love not only between the other couples but she and Edward as well.  Are they truly a good match or is Jane just swept away on the wings of first love?

Highly recommended for Austen fans or those new to Austen.  The extensive research that Syrie James put into this novel shines through on every page and she highlights her inspiration and the fact that this novel is based on true events and real characters in her superb author’s note.  Jane Austen’s First Love is truly an enjoyable novel and I absolutely adored it!

 

Other Jane Austen’s First Love Holiday Blog Tour stops to visit!
Author Links: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads
Buy: Amazon, Amazon Canada, B&N, IndieBound

 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS – OPEN INTERNATIONALLY

Grand Giveaway Contest

 

Win One of Five Fabulous Jane Austen-inspired Prize Packages

 

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To celebrate the holidays and the release of Jane Austen’s First Love, Syrie is giving away five prize packages filled with an amazing selection of Jane Austen-inspired gifts and books!

To enter the giveaway contest, simply leave a comment on any of the blog stops on the Jane Austen’s First Love Holiday Blog Tour.

Increase your chances of winning by visiting multiple stops along the tour! Syrie’s unique guest posts will be featured on a variety of subjects, along with fun interviews, spotlights, excerpts, and reviews of the novel. Contest closes at 11:59pm PT, December 21, 2014. Five lucky winners will be drawn at random from all of the comments on the tour, and announced on Syrie’s website on December 22, 2014. The giveaway contest is open to everyone, including international residents. Good luck to all!

 

Remember leave a comment on any of the Jane Austen’s First Love Holiday Blog Tour stops including mine to be entered!

 

 

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Source: Digital review copy received from the publisher for an honest review. No compensation was received.
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Filed Under: 2014 - 100+ Books, 2014 ARC's, 2014 Book Reviews, 2014 eBooks

The Wanderer’s Children by L.G. O’Connor & Giveaway (US/Canada)

December 8, 2014 by Darlene

wandererThe Wanderer’s Children by L.G. O’Connor is the second book in The Angelorum Twelve Chronicles and it is a fantastic sequel to her debut novel Trinity Stones which I loved as well.  These books swept me into a world so different from my own and I am completely captivated by both the world building and the characters living within the pages.  As a note t here may be some spoilers ahead as it’s difficult to review the second book without talking about the first a bit so if you intend to read the books be forewarned as you go forward.

In Trinity Stones we meet Cara Collins who thought she was just a normal woman until she finds out she is actually a Soul Seeker and the first of the Holy Twelve. She also meets Simon who was her Trinity Guardian but is now her fiance.  They are to be married soon and Cara is in the midst of planning a wedding and if only that were her only concern but it isn’t.  There is a battle looming between good and evil and Cara and Simon along with the others will be right in the middle of it.  To top things off Cara seems to be going through growth spurts after having been injected with Nephilim DNA and she’s starting to panic about fitting into any wedding dress at all.  And then there is the problem she seems to be having with being attracted to men who are not her fiance even though she loves no one but him.  Jut what is going on?  Cara is knee deep in stress!

While Trinity Stones laid the base for the story and introduced us to the characters The Wanderer’s Children really takes us into their lives.  I loved that about this book.  I really got to know the characters this time around; to dig deeper into their lives – to care about them even more.  Michael is the Trinity’s Messenger and I liked him from the beginning but in this novel we delve into his past where he confronts his issues in order to move on with his life with Sienna and the Angelorum.  Simon is his usual impressive self that any sane woman would kill to be with since he’s not only gorgeous but he cooks too.  Then there’s Cara who is another one I liked from the beginning.  She’s a great character who is funny, loves passionately, and most importantly one who would die to protect those closest to her.

As things begin to heat up and the twelve begin to gather they learn new truths about themselves and  know that soon they will face the biggest battle of their lives.  The battle between good and evil.  Who will win?

Recommended for those who enjoy a fast paced and exciting story with a lot of steamy romantic scenes to spice things up!  I highly recommend the whole series!

 

Other tour stops with TLC Book Tours
Add to your Goodreads List
Buy: Amazon, Amazon Canada, B&N
Author Links: Website, Facebook, Twitter

 

GIVEAWAY – OPEN TO US & CANADIAN RESIDENTS

1 copy of The Wanderer’s Children up for grabs!

*CLICK HERE* and fill out the form to enter

Draw Date December 23/14

 

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Source: Review copy provided by the publisher for an honest review.  No compensation was received.

 

 

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Filed Under: 2014 - 100+ Books, 2014 ARC's, 2014 Book Reviews, 2014 eBooks, TLC Tours

The Light in the Labyrinth by Wendy Dunn & Giveway (eBook-Open Int’l)

December 3, 2014 by Darlene

lightI pretty much love to read anything with Anne Boleyn in it but I was initially attracted to Wendy Dunn’s newest novel The Light in the Labyrinth because it is a Young Adult novel told from the perspective of Anne’s niece Katherine Carey. It’s always interesting to read about Anne Boleyn’s fall through a different set of eyes and this telling from a young girl who has not yet been jaded by the Court and it’s people had me captivated from the beginning.

Katherine, daughter of Anne Boleyn’s sister Mary, is fourteen years old and ready to learn the ways of court. She’s extremely excited to see her Aunt Nan (Anne Boleyn) who is the Queen of England although she’s terrified to meet the imposing King Henry. Now she has a place among Anne’s women and in that she learns that the exalted life she thought her Aunt had is in fact in much turmoil. As time passes Katherine is left to watch and care for her Aunt as she loses her precious place with the King along with her life. Once a young girl, Katherine is now a woman.

This is a fantastic story for any age. I thought it very well written and beautifully told through the innocence of Katherine. Katherine’s naivete does not last long at Court of course and it’s made so much worse by her being with her Aunt during her last days. Katherine is such a great avenue for telling this story. Seen through her eyes I felt her disappointments and grief and I’ll tell you I don’t often tear up reading historical fiction but I sure did with this one.

Young or old fans of historical fiction this is definitely one to add to your reading list. Highly recommended!

 

Other tour stops with Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours
Add to your Goodreads List
Buy: Amazon US, B&N, Book Depository, IndieBound
Author Links: Website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads

 

GIVEAWAY – eBook copy open Internationally

*CLICK HERE* and fill out the form to enter

Draw Date December 20/14

 

 

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Source: Review copy provided by the publisher for an honest review.  Giveaway copy provided by the publisher.  No compensation was received.
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Filed Under: 2014 - 100+ Books, 2014 ARC's, 2014 Book Reviews, 2014 eBooks, Historical Fiction Virtual Blog Tours

City of Ladies by Sarah Kennedy

November 17, 2014 by Darlene

ladiesCity of Ladies by Sarah Kennedy is the second novel in The Cross and The Crown series and it doesn’t disappoint and what a fantastic cover! Once again Sarah has outdone herself with a beautifully written novel that transports us back to Tudor England and and a story not to be forgotten!

City of Ladies finds Catherine, a former nun, married now to William with a son Robert and a newly born daughter Veronica. The convent where she grew up and the land it occupied once belonged to Catherine’s family but is now under the ownership of her husband. While Catherine is happily mistress of her own household, her friends and former nuns, were not so lucky. Henry VIII not only destroyed the only sanctuary they had when he took down their convent he also made sure they had nowhere else to go. Of course Catherine could not allow this to happen so she brought them into her own home. Her dream is to build her own City of Ladies and have the nuns serve the community and belong once again but as long as the people believe them to be witches she will never succeed. When the worst happens and the women of the house begin to disappear and turn up dead everyone is left wondering if they are safe… including Catherine.

William, wanting Catherine safe, puts her into the service of the young and Protestant Elizabeth Tudor. At first Catherine believes she will only be serving Elizabeth but soon enough she learns that she will also serve the Catholic Mary Tudor who has been shamed for her beliefs as the war over religious beliefs still goes on. As the murders continue to plague Overton House and others become ill Catherine struggles to find out who is behind the murders before it’s too late.

City of Ladies was a wonderful novel that I had such a hard time putting down. I adored Catherine in the first book The Altarpiece and I sitll do. She is such a strong, caring, and intelligent woman. Unfortunately it just that intelligence that has people thinking her a witch. In the time of Henry VIII a woman who was talented as a healer and intelligent could easily be thought to have evil dwelling within them and hanged and Catherine had to be very careful not to step on the wrong toes, namely Henry VIII. I am already anxiously looking forward to the third book in the series – The King’s Sisters, which is due out in 2015.

Well done Sarah – I loved it! For fans of historical fiction I highly recommend the whole series consisting so far of The Altarpiece and now City of Ladies!

 

Author Links: Website, Facebook, Twitter
Buy: Amazon, Amazon Canada, B&N

 

 

Source: Digital review copy received from the publisher for an honest review. No compensation was received.
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Filed Under: 2014 - 100+ Books, 2014 ARC's, 2014 Book Reviews, 2014 eBooks

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